The institution originally opened in 1921 as Delgado Trades School; it went through several reorganizations and was finally named Delgado Community College by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1980, under the administration of Governor David C. Treen.

The maps of Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges indicate that Delgado's service area includes New Orleans and Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany parishes.

[1] A Delgado Community College document stated that, in addition, Lafourche, St. Bernard, and Terrebonne parishes are in its service area.

The Dolphins compete in National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1, Region 23.

The Dolphins sports teams are members of the Louisiana Community Colleges Athletic Conference.